I John 5:18-21
18 We know that no one who is born of God keeps on sinning;
but He who was born of God keeps him and the evil one does not lay hold of him.
19 We know that we are of God,
and the whole world lies under the sway of the evil one.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding,
in order that we might know Him who is true,
and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ.
This is the true God and eternal life.
21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols.
Introduction
Our text this morning concludes the final section of John’s letter.
Now remember the false teachers who are troubling John’s flock are doing so by their living as well as by their teaching. That is, in addition to denying Christ, they claim that it does not matter how you live in the body or the way that you treat others. Instead, for them salvation is a purely inward spiritual matter.
Therefore, as John brings his letter to a close, he underscores the main points he wants his readers to take away from this epistle, especially in light of the threats and claims made by these false teachers.
In our text this morning John brings forward three certainties by which any false teacher or false teaching can be clearly identified and avoided.
Verse 18
Notice at once, John opens this passage by saying “we know”. Importance: over the course of this closing section John recalls six things that we know for certain and by which we can navigate the challenges we face living in a fallen world FN#1. Notice then what verse 18 says we know: John says we know that no one who is born of God keeps on sinning. However, please note, John is not suggesting that those born of God never struggle, stumble, or commit sins. Instead, the verb “sinning” is a Customary/Habitual present tense verb. As such, it points to a standard, regular, or usual practice. That is, it describes someone whose rebellion against God is uncontested and normative. As such, they persist in sin without thought, struggle, or any but a superficial correction. Therefore, John says that no one who is born of God continues in unchecked sin. Notice then the point: John brings forward this principle of unchecked sin because it immediately identifies the flagrant, unrepentant, and unbiblical practices of the world’s false teachers as contrary to God. Therefore, when we see such a cavalier rejection of and disregard for the way that Scripture calls us to live, we are to know that such practices are not from God and they will never lead you to God. As such, they are not to be imitated or followed.
Next, notice the reason that those who are born of God do not persist in unchecked sin. John says He who was born of God (that is Jesus) keeps/guards him FN#2. In other words, God’s grace, salvation, and presence are at work in every believer renewing him and protecting him. As such, even though we struggle with sin, we are not abandoned to sin. Instead, we have a governing principle of grace and new life that opposes sin. Notice the result: John says the evil one (the devil) does not lay hold of him. Importance: notice the picture that the Greek word for “lay hold” provides: the picture is that of fire touching and then engulfing dry fodder FN#3. In other words, verse 18 assures us that God does not allow sin/Satan to engulf and consume His children (God never abandons us to our sins). Instead, God’s grace, salvation, and presence constantly draw us back to God for His forgiveness, renewal, and change. Simply put John reminds his readers that they already know that saving grace is a changing grace. Therefore, don’t get taken in by pretenders and charlatans.
Verse 19
Next, notice John says we know that we are of God. That is, we know that everything just discussed in verse 18 applies to us. How? First, we have received Christ and we have His promise to keep us. Second, we have seen firsthand His presence, grace, and salvation at work in us, protecting us from the dominion that sin and Satan would have over us. Not only that, John says we also know that the whole world lies under the sway of the evil one. That is, fallen man is estranged from God and thus is left subject to Satan’s manipulation, deception, and self-destructive practices. As such, the whole world either wittingly or unwittingly shares Satan’s rebellion and denial of God. Notice then the point: John reminds his readers that they already know their own spiritual source as well as the spiritual source of the world. Therefore, follow that which is from God while avoiding all that would draw you away from God FN#4.
Verse 20
Next, notice John says that we know that the Son of God has come to give us understanding. In other words, God Himself has made God known. As such, there is nothing that He missed or got wrong. Instead, Jesus is the definitive revelation of God. Notice then the point: John says that there is no need for the speculations, corrections, or augmentations of the world’s false teachers. They have nothing to add/offer. Not only that, notice why Jesus came. John says that Jesus came in order that we might know Him who is true. That is, Jesus came that we might know the only true living God as He truly is. In other words, in place of the world’s vacuous speculations and blind spirituality we have God’s direct self-revelation of who He is and who we are to be. Simply put, Jesus has made God known as He actually is. Everything else is blind speculation and the false idols made by man.
Next, notice John says we are in Him who is true. That is, we are in fellowship with God, counted as His children, and under His entire covenant of grace. In other words, Jesus did not just come to tell us about God. He came to restore us to God. Notice then John says we are in God because we are in His Son, Jesus Christ FN#5. That is, we are included in the salvation that God sent His Son to accomplish for us. Notice then the contrast: while the false teachers speculate about who God is and about what man must do to obtain his own salvation, God sent His own Son to make God known and to provide the whole of our salvation (the whole of our way back to God).
Next, notice John’s direct and decisive polemic against the false teachers of the world: that is, notice John’s final word against them: John says this is the true God and eternal life. That is, John points back to the revelation of God by Jesus His Son and says this alone is who God actually is. In turn, John points back to the salvation that God’s Son, the Messiah accomplished for us and says this alone is eternal life. In other words, reconciliation to the only God who is, is through the only savior He sent. Everything else is empty deception that offers nothing but blindness, futility, and doom. Therefore, don’t be taken in by it.
Verse 21
Finally, John ends his epistle by calling his readers little children FN#6. Importance: John’s affectionate address throughout this epistle reflects God’s genuine love for His children. They are precious to God therefore they are precious to John. Not only that, John’s genuine care for his flock stands in stark contrast to the manipulative, harsh, and self-focused demeanor of the false teachers. Notice then John’s final word to his readers: John instructs us to guard ourselves from idols. That is, John warns us to avoid any teaching or any behavior that denies, dilutes, or alters who Jesus is. Instead, Christ is to be our singular hope and focus FN#7.
Footnotes
1] Notice the 6 things John tells us we know in this closing section:
5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.
15 we know that He hears us
we know that we receive the requests.
18 We know that no one who is born of God keeps on sinning;
19 We know that we are of God,
20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, that we might know Him who is true,
2] Notice at once that the shift in verb tense reflects the change in reference. John begins talking about the believer who is born of God. The verb tense here is a perfect tense verb. As such, it points to the ongoing result of the believer’s new birth. However, in the second part of the verse John turns to talk about Christ who was born of God. The verb tense here is aorist. As such, it points to the singularity and completeness of Christ birth and incarnation.
3] Many translations translate the word ἅπτω (“lay hold”) to read “touch” (the evil one does not touch him). However, while this is rendition is within the lexical range of the word, it only represents a portion of the lexical picture provided by the word and called for by the context. Notice then, the idea that God completely hedges the believer in keeping him from all misfortune or struggle is simply not true. The book of Job is a great example of the contrary. There Satan absolutely touches Job in the most sever manner. However, as Paul says God’s grace was sufficient for him in weakness. Therefore, though touched, Job was not engulfed or abandoned. Instead, God upheld him and thus he remained faithful to God. In our own lives we are often manipulated, tempted, and touched by Satan (often by the invitation of our own sins and wandering). However, God keeps us, calls us home, and does not give us over to our own brokenness. The result is that ἅπτω is better translated here as “lay hold”. In turn, this notion is then echoed in the very next verse (v 19) where we hear that the whole world lies under the sway of the evil one (who has laid hold of them)
4] Notice: John is not closing his letter with abstract spiritual truths. Rather, John is reminding you of those things that God has given you to know for certain (you know the nature of true grace and salvation; you know the spiritual allegiance behind the world’s unbelief; and you know who Jesus is and what He came to do). As such, John points to these certainties because they are to be the basis which guides and guards your everyday living. In other words, God has given us living truth, not serial doctrine. As such, this living truth transforms our lives and is to be the standard reference by which we assess every facet/choice of life.
5] Notice who John tells us this Son is: first, He is God’s Son. That is, He is fully and eternally God. Second, God’s Son is Jesus. That is, He is the fully human man who was born, walked among us, and died. Finally, He is the Christ. That is, He is God sent by God as the only savior for man. Such, then reflect God’s threefold witness about His own Son seen throughout this epistle and especially in the last section (4:1-5:12):
4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;
4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God
6] Note: the Greek word here τεκνίον (little children), is a diminutive of τέκνον (child). It is used figuratively as a term of affectionate address, my little children. In the N.T. it is used as a term of affectionate address by teachers to their disciples (always in the plural little children). In fact, it is used 7x in the New Testament and all in John’s writings. Once it is used in John’s Gospel by Jesus to address His followers (Jn 13:33). John picks up the expression and uses it 6x in this Epistle. Importance: John ends his epistle with the same affection, care, and gentleness that we have seen him express throughout.
7] John ends his epistle by describing false teachers and anything else that denies, alters, or subverts the revelation of God given in His Son Jesus Christ as an idol. By doing so John expands the notion of idols from mere stone carvings to include the world’s false religions, philosophies, and spirituality. Thus, all that was said about the futility of idols in the Old Testament extends to every sort of man created notion of God. Not only that, remember idols are the pagan versions of god along with the practices these gods command and condone. Thus, John ends by condemning the false teachers’ teachings and their practices as false gods. Instead, our focus is to be on Christ alone.